UTEP football: Battle is on for quarterback position

The great secret of spring is the quarterback depth chart as Carson Meger, Blaire Sullivan and Garrett Simpson angle to become the top contender to transfer Jameill Showers, who arrives in the fall.

Reps continue to be split equally and no one has clearly stood out above the others.

"I'd like to see someone separate themselves," coach Sean Kugler said. "Garrett Simpson had a suspension, so he was a little behind, but he's come back and done well. We still have two scrimmages."

The next one will be Friday.

Looking up

UTEP is starting to string good practices together in Sean Kugler's first spring, and his mood has gotten brighter and brighter after those workouts. Such was the case Monday as the team began its fourth of five weeks with a practice in helmets and shoulder pads.

"They're working hard. We finished last week with two good practices," Kugler said. "We've really only had one bad practice, right after spring break; the guys knew about it, and they bounced back well.

"There are some areas where we're further ahead than I thought we would be, some areas where we're a little behind. As coaches, we have to recognize that just like the players do."

Injuries

UTEP was without two starters at Monday's practice, as defensive tackle Germard Reed (hamstring) and center Paulo Melendez (undisclosed injury) were held out. Taking their place were freshman defensive tackle Silas Firstley and senior center Eric Lee. Kugler said he had no timetable on Reid's and Melendez's return.

Familiar look

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While UTEP will be more varied in its defensive alignments this year -- and normally will utilize a three-down linemen set -- they have frequently been in a 4-3 alignment this spring. Defensive coordinator Jeff Choate said the switch has been mainly dictated by matching up with the Miner offense.

"We've got to be able to match surfaces, but throughout the course of the season, we'll be fairly balanced between four-down and three-down sets," Choate said. "It's important to play a variety of defensive fronts; that's our m.o. right now."

He said the three linemen sets are actually easier for the players to pick up.

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359. Follow him on Twitter @bretbloomquist